AFTER 13 YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 220, 16 September 1940, Page 4

AFTER 13 YEARS.

AUCKLAND UNBEATEN TRIUMPH AT WELLINGTON. Not since the 1927 Rugby season, when Mr. V. R. Meredith was selecter, has the Auckland representative XV. been unbeaten until this winter. The climax to one of the most successful playing years in the Rugby history of the province came ou Saturday, when Wellington wae conquered at Athletic Park by 12 point* to 10. Three men share equally the highest marks for Auckland's victorious career over eight games—four at Eden Park and a ermilar number away. They are the selector, Mr. l< , . W. .Lucas, who has stuck practically to the same XV. all the season (a place, of course, having to be found on July 27 for the 1939 North leland rep winger, L. W. Schubert after his return from Christohurch); the captain, N. C. learman, who, filling a difficult position with distinction, reserved his beet individual effort untii the all-important game at Wellington: and B. W. Hare, whose kicking produced nearly half of Auckland's total points. The winning scores in the eight engagements were:—July 13, v. Waikato, at Auckland, 11—3; July 20, v. King Country, at Te Awainutu, 19—10; July 27, v. Hawke's Bay, at Napier, 18—12; August 10, v. Waikato, at Hamilton, B—3; August 17, v. Northland, at Auckland, 20--9-August 24, v. Taranaki, at Auckland 24—12; August 31, v. Bay of Plenty, at Auckland, 19—8; September 14, v. Wellington, at Wellington, 12—10. Total points for 131, against 67. I Schubert Two Tries. The run of the scoring at Athletic Park on Saturday was:— Potted goal by Hare, try by Schubert, converted by Hare, and try by J. Gillespie (wing three-quarter) for Wellington, converted by F. J. Caseidy. Thie made the half-time ecoare 9—5 in the veiting XV.'e favour. Another try by Schubert put Auckland seven points up; a few minutee from time Cassidy croeeed the line, and, converting hie own try , , the final tallies became: Auckland 12, Wellington 10.

Commenting this morning on the team'e satisfactory performance, Mr. Lucas eaid that Schubert, in addition to his two tries, kept well "on top" of Lance Pearson, the Air Force footballer, who played for Schubert'e own club (Grafton) at the outset of last season and wae Auckland centre in the first three engagements'. A. V. Wilee, who made the opening for the second try, which, with the board previously reading 9 —5, ensured Auckland's victory, on a later occasion was overhauled from behind after a "jinky" run for over thirty yards. Had he slowed down for Schubert another try might have resulted, ae the winger could not quite get into position when Wilee had to pass with only ■the full-iback to beat and the goal-line but a few yards ahead. The youthful centre dropped back like a veteran to cover the defence whenever Hare had to follow up a kick. Excellent Combination. Pearman and R. H. Barlow, the fiveeighths, played their finest games of the eight-match series. P. L. Tetzlaff behind the scrum was gatneness His heady play was the foundation stone of the excellent all-round combination. Indeed,: this was the feature of Auckland's victory, : both backs and forwards working in unieon i and, in particular, backing up well. In the first epelj Pearman crossed Wellington's line, but lost the ball. The circumstances were somewhat similar to those which led to Wellington's first try. Merv Gillespie broke through the tackle of hie vis-a-yie L. Colmore-Williams, but Hare picked him up ae the Wellington winger wae crossing the line and ended up by throwing him into touch-in-goal. Gillespie appeared to drop the ball, which bounced many yards away. It was adjudged, however, that he had grounded the ball for a try before he was swung into touch-in-goal. On another occasion in the same spell Schubert went over, but a drop-out was awarded for a breach-in-goal. Aβ far ae the vanguard was concerned D. Mills, W. E. Smith and H. Priest were most conspicuous. The hooker, A. Johneon, wae in splendid form and gave hie side more than a fair share of the ball. Fifty-nine Contests. The northern province is now ''three up" in the 65 years' battle with the representatives of the capital city. The figures are:— Games Won by Venue. played. Auck. Wgtn. Drawn Auckland (first game 1880) 30 18 10 a Wellington (flrst game 1875) ..... 29 12 . 17 Totals 59 30 27 2

59 30 27 2